A NORTHWICH MP is backing anti-hunt campaigners who want to see blood sports outlawed.

As peers in the House of Lords made a last-ditch attempt to enable hunting to continue under licence this week, Mike Hall has promised he'll do all he can to see the 'barbaric' practice outlawed.

His pledge comes as local hunt supporters have pledged to defy the law if it eventually comes in.

Members of Cheshire's fox-hunting set attended a mass meeting in Daresbury, one of 12 across England and Wales, to sign a hunting declaration committing themselves to breaking the law by hunting if a ban is imposed, then submitting themselves to the legal consequences.

Countryside Alliance North West spokesman Tom Fell said: 'The meeting gave individuals the chance to make clear their intention to take part in peaceful but committed civic disobedience in the event of a ban on hunting.

'This is not a step that anyone will take lightly, but many people feel that it is a legitimate act of protest in response to the threat of deeply prejudiced legislation.'

But Gregg Metcalfe, from the League Against Cruel Sports, said: 'For years they have claimed to be law-abiding, but this so-called declaration shows their true colours. They are arrogantly saying they will ignore any laws they don't agree with.'

Anti-hunt campaigners are optimistic legislation will be in force before next year's season if ministers include the Hunting Bill in the Queen's Speech in December.

A huge majority of MPs from across the party divide voted in July to pass the Hunting Bill to outlaw all forms of fox, deer, mink and hare hunting and coursing. After months of debate and deliberation, the House of Lords is trying to reverse this democratic decision by voting to allow hunting to continue.

Mr Hall said: 'Allowing hunting to continue, as wanted by the House of Lords, is unacceptable to me and to the majority of MPs in the House of Commons.

'I will work to keep the Government true to its pledge to resolve this issue.'